Making Good Men, Better Men Since Time Immemorial
Making Good Men, Better Men Since Time Immemorial

All posts by: Ross Jackson

Arrangements for MWPGM Charter Lee Nicholson, Sr.

Most Worshipful Sirs, Right Worshipful Sirs, Worshipful Grand Lodge officers and Brethren All:

It is my sad duty to inform you of the passing of Most Worshipful Charter Lee Nicholson, Sr., Grand Master of Masons in Alabama 1982-83.

Arrangements for MWPGM Nicholson are as follows:

Most Worshipful Grand Master Rusty Beck will open the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Alabama at 10am Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at Nunn-Oden #398, 126 Sparkman St. SW, Hartselle, AL  35640. 

Visitation will be Tuesday, 26 September 2023 from 11 a.m. – 1p.m at Peck Funeral Home, 1600 Hwy 31 SW, Hartselle, AL 35640, (256) 773-2541.

There will no service at the funeral home. 

Masonic graveside rites will be performed at 1:30 p.m. at Forest Chapel UMC Cemetery, 250 Forest Chapel Rd, Hartselle, AL 35640, (256) 773-2730.

https://www.peckfuneralhome.com/obituary/Charter-NicholsonSr

All present sitting Grand Lodge officers are strongly encouraged to attend if possible. Please dress accordingly and remember to bring your apron, jewel, and gloves. 

S&F,

Zachary Allen Holmes 

Grand Secretary/Executive Director 

Grand Lodge of Alabama, F&AM 

Gettysburg Visit

I had the pleasure of paying my respects at the Gettysburg National Military Park and Gettysburg National Cemetery this fine morning. 

Amid the 1000’s of monuments in Gettysburg, the one that I believe touched my heart the most, the one that I’ve long sought visiting, was the “Friend To Friend, A Brotherhood United” monument. 

“The monument depicts Union Captain Henry Bingham, a Mason and staff assistant to General Hancock, himself wounded, rendering aid to the fallen Confederate General. Armistead is shown handing his watch and personal effects to be taken to his friend, Union General Hancock Union General Winfield Scott Hancock. “

What is most meaningful, most striking about this monument is what it represents as a whole. Freemasonry doesn’t “instill” or “create” a bond. It is not something that can be pulled off like our aprons or rings. Freemasonry exists on our good days, and the bad days. It exists in peace, and at war. What this monument shows to the world is one man handing his last effects, the contents of his pockets to another. 

What it means to Masons  is that no matter what, good or bad, peace or war, there exists between them a bond that is inseparable. A bond of brotherhood, a bond of protecting a brothers life, a bond of protecting a brothers family, and most of all, an unwavering devotion and commitment to never breaking your word or promise to another brother. 

It was my distinct honor and privilege to visit this solemn place of honor. 

Zachary C. Grizzard

Right Worshipful Grand Historian

The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of F & A M of Alabama

Service Awards

MW Brother Rusty Beck, Grand Master, RW Brother Mike Boyles, Deputy Grand Master, MW Brother David Tucker, Past Grand Master, and RW Brother Max Carey, Grand Marshal were privileged in presenting two of our Brethren service awards for their many years of service to our Fraternity: Brother John Willis of Somerville Lodge No. 721 and Rising Sun Lodge No. 29 received his 60 year pin, and Brother Mike Jones of Rising Sun Lodge No. 29 received his 70 year pin. Congratulations to you both!

MONDAY MUSINGS

Happy Monday!

Dear brethren,

I have a question for us all to consider: Are we, as Masons, giving due attention to living as just and upright men? It seems simple – perhaps elementary, even – to conduct ourselves in a manner befitting our position during our lodge meetings. However, one we leave the lodge room, how quickly we forget the tenets we have just heard recommended to our consideration!

As family men, are we applying our working tools to our wives and children? Are we properly subduing our passions, or are we giving in to the daily stresses of the day? 

As professionals, are we industrious, diligent, and dependable? Are we treating our superiors and subordinates fairly, daily squaring our actions by the Square of Virtue? 

Brethren, in our quest to become men of impeccable character, we must pursue the virtues of Masonry with unwavering tenacity! Settling for “good enough” won’t convince the world of Masonry’s good effects, nor will our substandard efforts produce anything other than mediocrity. 

Our task is great. But take heart, brethren! We have been given great tools – tools that are able to polish the rough ashlars of our lives. Let us daily commit ourselves to the cause of Masonry and never swerve from our duty to the Craft. 

Fraternally, 

Bro. Chris
Right Worshipful Grand Orator
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of F&A.M of Alabama

Grand Orator Introduction

Dear brethren, 

Fraternal greetings! My name is Chris Henley, the Senior Warden of Saints John #931 in Anniston, and a plural member of Eastaboga # 155. As the newly installed Right Worshipful Grand Orator of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Alabama, it is my honor to serve the brethren of Alabama in this capacity. I am incredibly grateful to Most Worshipful Bro. Rusty Beck for asking me to serve for the 2022-2023 year. 

I am looking forward to offering regular posts on the Grand Lodge website, and I am especially excited to travel across the state – and abroad – speaking to lodges on topics on Masonry. If you would like for me to come and speak at your lodge, please feel free to send me an email at brohenley931@gmail.com 


Here are a few of the topics I have prepared to present, although there are always new projects in the works! 

  • “Chipping Away: Becoming the Best Mason You Can Be” – A practical review of what it means to be a “good” Mason in the twenty-first century. 
  • “First Things First: A Reflection on Ritual” – Our ritual is important to our lives as Masons. But why? This talk examines the moral and practical implications of the ritual. 
  • “In Defense of Masculinity: Virtue, Honor, and Freemasonry” 

Brethren, Masonry is alive and well in the state of Alabama! I am excited to travel to meet new brothers, fellowship in and outside of lodge, and discuss the important topics in Masonry as we seek to live our lives as virtuous men.

“To educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.” – Bro. Teddy Roosevelt

Until next time, keep chipping away, brothers! 


R.:W.: Chris Henley

Grand Orator

Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of F&A.M, Alabama

brohenley931@gmail.com

(256) 375-4150

Alabama Grand Lodge Masonic Quizzes

Welcome, brother, to the Education program of the M.W. Grand Lodge of Alabama. The quizzes provided here refer to the Alabama Masonic Ritual Monitor and the Alabama Masonic Code and the Holy Bible. Access to these resources can be obtained at your lodge or on the Grand Lodge website by clicking here.  

These quizzes are designed to instruct you in the MW Grand Lodge of F&AM’s practice of Freemasonry; to help you separate truth from error by referring you to the correct answers as stated by the approved materials provided by the MW Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. 

You may find that answers to these questions may not agree with what you have seen in television programs, read in books or magazines written by respected Freemason, or even other recognized Grand Jurisdictions. While these materials and further education of historical and foreign practices of Freemasonry are worthy of consideration, it is important to note what is required of us as Alabama Freemasons. If you enjoy these quizzes, you are encouraged to request further instruction from your Worshipful Master, District Lecturer, or the Committee on Education and Public Relations.

In the Monitor, The Entered Apprentice Lecture informs us that “never were more excellent rules and useful maxims laid down than are inculcated in the service Masonic Lecture.” The Installation of Officers states to The Lodge, “Let nothing disturb that pure, warm, and holy love which our ritual enjoins. Follow the injunctions and your lodge will flourish.” 

Fraternally,

Mike Feld, PM

Chairman, Committee on Education and Public Relations

Mfeld2009@gmail.com